Castle Rock utilities chief headed to Parker

The Parker Water and Sanitation District announced a well-known name in the local water business as its new district manager.

Ron Redd, the longtime utilities director for Castle Rock, was named during a meeting Nov. 15 as the replacement for Frank Jaeger, who has served as district manager for more than 30 years.

Redd was present for many of the water district’s most recent notable accomplishments, including the opening of Rueter-Hess Reservoir and Dam. Redd was among the main players in Castle Rock’s agreement to purchase $40 million worth of water storage space in Rueter-Hess, making the town the PWSD’s largest partner on the expansion of the reservoir.

Jaeger decided to resign from his position when three new board members were elected in May and made it clear his contract would not be renewed. During their campaigns, the board members were critical of Jaeger’s handling of the district’s finances, however, they decided to keep Jaeger on as district manager during a six-month transitional phase. Jaeger, along with other members of a search committee, reviewed and interviewed potential successors.

Redd, who was not immediately available for comment the afternoon of Nov. 16, was among 50 candidates considered during a four-month search, including Jaeger’s assistant manager, Jim Nikkel. PWSD board member Bill Wasserman spear-headed the search for a new manager and said Redd is “bright, innovative,” has a good technical mind and “comes up with creative solutions.”

“He seemed to be a good fit,” Wasserman said. “Everybody likes him and he’s a good team builder.”

Wasserman pointed out that certain perks that have come with the district manager’s position in the past will no longer be in place, such as free gas. Jaeger drives a GMC Denali that’s owned by the district, one of the points of contention when the new board members were elected. Redd, who starts his job in early January, will get a $500-a-month auto allowance, along with his $150,500 annual salary.

Wasserman said Redd is the ideal manager to lead the district into the future.